In a new interview, Ronda Rousey gave important insight into why her surprise comeback fight won't take place in the company that made her a household name, the UFC.
Earlier this week, Rousey shocked the fight world when she announced plans for a completely unexpected comeback fight against fellow female MMA pioneer Gina Carano. However, what was more unexpected than his return to the cage after a decade away was that it wouldn't be inside the UFC's Octagon.
Rousey showed so much potential as a box office star during her tenure in Strikeforce that White was forced to back down from his announcement that he would not have women's fights in the UFC. It was the right move as the Olympic silver medalist would emerge as one of their biggest stars during her three years with the company.
Furthermore, White and Rousey developed a legitimate friendship based on her success and ease of conversation. So why hasn't he returned to the fight game inside the Octagon?
Cost-effective TKO strategy keeps Rousey from making UFC comeback fight
In a new interview with Jim Rome, Rousey talked about her friendship with White and mentioned that she actually first came to her last year about the idea of a fight with Carano. According to the former UFC bantamweight champion, the promotion boss was so excited by the idea that he stuttered during their call.
Following White's conversation with Carano, Rousey claims she requested that he give her a pay-per-view raise for the fight. The CEO had no problem in doing so. However, when it became clear that a bout would need to take place in 2026, it conflicted with their new media rights deal with Paramount+, where the company was no longer doing PPVs.
"They didn't want to set the precedent of giving me the guaranteed money that I deserve, because once I raise that tide, it raises all boats," Rousey said. “They just signed a $7.7 billion deal at Paramount, so it's in their best interest not to take the best fights possible and spend as little money as possible so they can stay [that standard]. Dana is now legally bound to maximize shareholder value. "
So, it looks like Dana White wanted Ronda Rousey's comeback fight. But TKO Group Holdings, the UFC's parent company, wants to use a more cost-effective approach, especially after the Paramount+ deal. Giving her the money she wanted would have harmed those plans.
